Skip to content

Slide 002: Emergency Response Procedures

Slide Visual

Emergency Response Procedures

Slide Overview

This slide details the specific emergency response procedures for each type of plasma cutting incident. Students must know these procedures BEFORE they are allowed to operate any plasma cutting equipment.

Instruction Notes

Universal First Response: E-STOP

Regardless of the emergency type, the FIRST action is always to press the E-stop and halt all machine operations. This stops the arc, stops gantry motion, and de-energizes the cutting circuit. Know the E-stop location before you begin cutting.

Electrical Shock Response

Scenario: Person in contact with the plasma circuit (torch, workpiece, cables)

  1. DO NOT touch the victim — you will become part of the circuit
  2. Disconnect power at the main breaker/disconnect (should be labeled and accessible)
  3. If power cannot be disconnected, use a DRY non-conductive object to separate the victim (wooden board, rubber mat, dry rope — NOT metal tools)
  4. Call 911 immediately
  5. If the victim is unresponsive and not breathing, begin CPR
  6. If an AED is available, apply it and follow its instructions
  7. Even if the victim appears uninjured after a shock, they MUST be evaluated at a hospital — cardiac arrhythmia can occur hours after electrical shock

Critical note: DC current (which plasma cutters produce) is particularly dangerous because it causes sustained muscle contraction — the victim cannot "let go" of the conductor.

Burn Response

Severity classification and response:

Burn Degree Appearance Response
First degree Red, painful, no blisters Cool with running water 20 min. Pain relief. Monitor
Second degree Blisters, swelling, severe pain Cool with running water 20 min. Do NOT pop blisters. Seek medical attention
Third degree White/charred, may be painless (nerve damage) Call 911. Cover loosely with sterile dressing. Treat for shock

Rules for all burns: - Remove clothing from the burn area UNLESS it is stuck to the skin — do not pull stuck material - Do NOT apply ice, butter, toothpaste, or home remedies - Do NOT use adhesive bandages on burns - For burns covering >10% body area, face, hands, feet, genitals, or joints → Call 911

Fire Response

  1. E-stop the plasma cutter
  2. Assess fire size: Can you safely fight it? (Smaller than a wastebasket = yes)
  3. If yes: Use the ABC or CO₂ fire extinguisher — P.A.S.S. technique:
  4. Pull the pin
  5. Aim at the base of the fire
  6. Squeeze the handle
  7. Sweep side to side
  8. If the fire is growing or you cannot extinguish it: EVACUATE, close doors behind you, call 911, pull fire alarm

Arc Eye / Flash Burn Response

  1. Move the affected person to a dark or dimly lit area
  2. Apply cool (not cold), wet compresses to closed eyes
  3. Do NOT rub eyes — this worsens corneal damage
  4. Over-the-counter pain relief (ibuprofen) may help
  5. Seek medical attention — ophthalmologist if available
  6. Symptoms may not peak for 6-12 hours — monitor throughout the day/night
  7. Most cases resolve in 24-48 hours with treatment

Fume Inhalation Response

  1. Move the person to fresh air immediately
  2. If the person is coughing but conscious and breathing: monitor, encourage slow breathing, seek medical evaluation
  3. If breathing difficulty is severe: Call 911, administer supplemental oxygen if available and you are trained
  4. Provide information to medical responders: what metal was being cut, duration of exposure, what PPE was worn
  5. For metal fume fever (delayed symptoms): rest, hydrate, seek medical evaluation

Key Talking Points

  1. E-stop is ALWAYS the first action — memorize its location
  2. Electrical shock response: NEVER touch the victim directly
  3. Burns: cool with water for 20 minutes — no ice, no butter, no home remedies
  4. Fire: only fight it if it is small and you have a clear escape route behind you
  5. Document every incident, even minor ones — patterns save lives

Learning Objectives (Concept Check)

  • [ ] Demonstrate the correct response for electrical shock (without touching the victim)
  • [ ] Apply the P.A.S.S. technique for fire extinguisher use
  • [ ] Describe the first aid response for second-degree burns
  • [ ] Explain why arc eye symptoms are delayed and what to monitor for

Last Updated: 2026-03-19